Shoes provided with intermediate soles



June 22, 1965 N. HANsJosTEN 3,190,016

SHOES PROVIDED WITH INTERMEDIATE SOLES Filed April 8, 1964 FIGI INVENTORNIKOLAUS HANSJOSTEN A TTORNE Y United States Patent 3,1%,ili6

` SHOES PROVIDED WTH ENTERMEDATE SOLES This invention relates to a newand improved shoe construction and, more particularly, to a new andimproved shoe construction including an intermediate sole.

This application is a continuation-in-part application to theapplication of Nikolaus Hansjosten, Serial No. 631,762, filed December31, 1956, now abandoned.

Shoes comprising an upper of a material such as woolen or cotton fabricjoined to an intermediate sole and a wearing sole are well known in theart. The purpose of the intermediate sole with constructions of thistype is to produce a cushioning effect between the wearing sole and thefoot of a wearer, thus providing added comfort for the wearer.

Various means have been used for joining the upper, the intermediatesole, and the wearing sole; for example, stitching and vulcanization hasbeen used. However, one of the disadvantages prevalent with thesepreviously known shoe constructions is that the junction between thewearing sole and the intermediate sole is exposed to the weather and tomechanical forces which tend to destroy the bond between the layers andrapidly deteriorate `the edges of the intermediate sole. Not only arethe edges of 'the intermediate sole subject to direct mechanicalabrasion and ultimate deterioration with a resultant tendency for thewearing sole to separate from the intermediate sole, but suchconstruction is also unsightly in appearance.

In order to make shoes of this type more attractive to the wearer,manufacturers have been producing rounded sole edges of variousconfigurations. Such congurations 'are especially prevalent in womensshoe constructions.

One example of rounded sole edge shoe construction is the turn-shoe orpump construction. In this shoe, a very light upper fabric is arrangedwrong-side out and is sewn at the edges to a sole which is also placedwrong-side out. The shoe is then turned inside out to obtain aparticularly desirable form of shoe construction with a rounded soleedge.

One method for overcoming the disadvantages of intermediate soleexposure includes the bonding of a strip of wearing sole material aroundthe peripheral edges of the intermediate sole. This construction notonly adds additional cost to the item, but also results in a ratherWomens shoes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel shoeconstruction which is pleasing in appearance, comfortable to the wearer,and is both relatively simple in construction and economical tomanufacture.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoeincluding an upper, an intermediate sole and a wearing sole in which theintermediate sole provides a cushioning effect to the shoe, theintermediate sole being built up for additional cushioning at the pointsnormally subjected to mechanical forces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoeconstruction including a one piece wearing sole of `substantiallyuniform thickness providing increased fieribility to the shoe.

It is another object of the presentinvention to provide a shoeconstruction wherein a one piece wearing sole of substantially uniformthickness extends upwardly at the heel and toe, such points beingsubject to increased wearin the normal usage of the shoe.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shoe bulky andunsightly sole edge definitely unsuitable for lhdid Patented .inne 22,1965 ICC construction including an intermediate `sole with a reinforcedor smooth peripheral edge surface.

lt is another object of the present invention to provide a novel Shoeconstruction wherein the intermediate sole is protected from mechanicalabrasions resulting from normal usage of the shoe.

lt is another object of this invention to provide a shoe construction soformed that the wearing sole protects the edges of intermediate solewhich would otherwise be exposed to mechanical abrasion and ultimatedeterioration.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a shoeconstruction including a wearing sole of substantially uniform thicknessturned up and intothe marginal edge of the intermediate sole to providemechanical protection for the intermediate sole against mechanicalabrasion and deterioration.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel shoe wherein anupturned wearing sole is designed in a manner by which wrinkling,folding or thickening of the upturned periphery of said wearing sole isprevented.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shoe constructionincluding a shank for providing added stability and rigidity to the shoestructure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a shoestructure including yan insole which is sewn to the upper of the shoe.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent byreference to the following description in View of the accompanyingdrawings and the appended claims in which the various novel features ofthe invention are more particularly set forth.

ln the drawings:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of this shoe constructed in accordancewith the novel features set forth in this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the novel shoe construction of thisinvention taken along line 8 8 of FIG- URE l.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view of a shoe constructed in accordance withthe novel features of this invention taken along line lil-lil of FIGURE1.

. Briefly the present invention contemplates a novel shoe constructioncomprising an upper and an insole sewn to the upper, an intermediatesole secured to the upper and la wearing sole secured to the undersideof the intermediate sole. The wearing sole constitutes a sheet ofmaterial, such as compact plastic or rubber, of substantially uniformthickness, while the intermediate sole is of a soft cushion materialsuch as sponge plastic, or sponge rubber. The margins of the wearingsole are turned upward j into the region of the intermediate sole alongthe entire peripheral edge or a part of the peripheral edge thereof forthe purpose of imparting mechanical protection to the intermediate solemargin. The upturned margins of the Wearing sole are secured to theperipheral edge of the intermediate sole by a welding, hardening orvulcanization process which operates to cure the exposed face of theintermediate sole edge to produce a reinforced or smooth outer surface.This reinforced or smooth outer surface of the intermediate sole passesdirectly into the underside ofthe wearing sole without producing anexposed uneven joint at the line of jointure.

The process by which this new and improved shoe construction is achievedincludes the use of a mold consisting of a base plate and a frame plate,the edges of which meet the base plate with a rounded off form. Awearing sole is stamped from a sheet of uniform thickness and is widenedbeyond the normally desired wearing surface area over the whole or partof the periphery thereof. As plastic deformation takes place during theworking and vulcanizing operations to which the wearing and inter-Aadattate 3 mediate soles are subjected, this margin is laid over intothe side surfaces of an intermediate sole so that the regions of theintermediate sole normally subjected to mechanical abrasion, areprotected.

Referring to FIGURE l, the novel shoe construction presented -in thisinvention includes an upper 1 of any suitable material such as cotton orwool fabric, or the like, an intermediate sole 2 possessingcharacteristics of resiliency suchV as sponge rubber, plastic, or thelike, and a wearing or outer sole 3 of compact rubber or similarmaterial possessing strong wearing characteristics and relative rigidityas compared to the intermediate sole 2. The wearing sole 3 has a marginextending upwardly to the wear points at the heel, as shown at d, and atthe toe, as shown at 5. Tlie'lateral or marginal edge of the wearingsole 3 is provided with a pointed or arcuate pattern 6, the peaks ofwhich terminate approximately at the midpoint of the edge of theintermediate sole 2. This extension of `the marginal edge of the wearingsole materially strengthens the intermediate sole at the pointscustomarily subjected to mechanical wear and abrasion when the shoe isworn.

As shown at FIGURE 2, filler pads 2t) and 22 of compressed fibermaterial or the like secured in the inside of the intermediate soleprovide additional padding to the shoe.

Also, as shown in FIGURE 2, a shank stiifener I5 may be provided inorder to impart stability and relative rigidity Vof shape to the shoestructure.

The upper I, the intermediate sole 2, the outer sole 3 and the fillerpads 20 and 22 are secured together by a vulcanization process. As aresult of this vulcanization process the exposed face of theintermediate sole 2 is cured producing a reinforcing or smooth outersurface 32. This reinforcing or smooth outer surface 32 of theintermediate sole 2 conforms with the curvature of the wearing sole 3without producing an exposed uneven joint at the line of jointure.

The intermediate sole 2 is built up and reinforced around the peripheryas seen at points 13 and 14 in FIGURE 2 and at 26 and 28 in FIGURE 3,providing not only a cushion effect to soften the blow of the mechanicalforces encountered at the toe, heel and edges of the shoe in normalusage, but also to provide greater thickness for the anchoring of thewearing sole 3 and the upper. The outer periphery of the insole 11overlaps the upper 1 and is secured thereto by stitching. The buildup ofmaterial caused by the overlapping of the upper by the insole is placedadjacent to the built up peripheral portion of the intermediate sole, asis shown at 16 and 18 in FIGURE 3.

Referring to FIGURE 3 the wearing sole 3 is fiexed upward and into theintermediate sole 2 strengthening the intermediate sole at the pointssubjected to mechanical wear.

In developing this new and improved shoe construction it was found thatwhen the marginal edge of a Wearing sole is turned upward and theupturned portions eX- tend to any substantial height, wrinkling orthickening of the upturned periphery results. This distortion is thegreatest at the extreme outer peripheral edge of the upturned portions.

In order to overcome this phenomenon, the peripheral portion of thewearing sole is formed in a series of points or arcs 6 as shown inFIGURE l to accommodate the final shape. In the case of the toe portionS and the heel portion 4 where the upturned edges of the wearing soleextend the farthest into the intermediate sole Z, the arc or pointcontour is commenced so as to give the entire upturned segment of theperiphery an arcuate or pointed shape. Incidental to the formidiablemechanical structural advantages of this invention is the fact that thisnovel and improved shoe construction also presents a pleasingappearance.

It is apparent, therefore, that as set forth in this ini vention thereis now provided a novel and improved shoe construction in which meansare provided for adequately protecting the intermediate sole of a shoefrom mechanical forces that is pleasing in appearance, comfortable tothe wearer, and economical to manufacture, a unique combination offeatures long sought in the shoe industry.

The description above showing one embodiment of the invention is for thepurpose of explaining the principles thereof and is not to be construedas restricting or Vlimiting the invention. For example, a soft rubber orplastic material could be used for the intermediate sole of the shoe,the shoe could be manufactured by a press method, or a plastic materialVcould be injected into the structure to form the intermediate sole andother changes in the details of this invention may be readily madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of theclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to besecured by Letters Patent is:

1. A shoe comprising an upper, a flexible intermediate sole secured tosaid upper, said intermediate sole having an underside portion and beingdefined at its entire outer periphery by a marginal built up andreinforced portion, a wearing sole of sheet material of substantiallyuniform thickness secured to the underside of said intermediate sole,the margins of said wearing sole being flexed upward and anchored intothe marginal portion of the lintermediate sole so that the outer edgesurface of said marginal reinforced portion of the intermediate soleconforms with the curvature of the wearing sole, the margin of saidwear-ing sole further being formed with front and rear laterallyextending portions turned upward and into said intermediate sole.

2. A shoe comprising an upper and an insole sewn to the upper, aflexible intermediate sole secured to said upper, said intermediate solehaving an underside portion and being defined at its entire outerperiphery by a marginal built up portion, a wearing sole of sheetmaterial of substantially uniform thickness secured to the underside ofsaid intermediate sole, the margins of said Wearing sole being flexedupward and anchored into the marginal portion of the intermediate soleso that the outer edge surface of said marginal built up portion of theintermediate sole conforms with the curvature of the wearing sole, themargin of said wearing sole further being formed with front and rearlaterally extending portions turned upward and into said intermediatesole.

3. A shoe having a heel and toe portion and comprising an upper, aexible intermediate sole secured to said upper, said intermediate solebeing defined at its entire outer periphery by a marginal built up andreinforced portion, filler pad means secured in the inside of saidintermediate sole, Ia wearing sole of sheet material of substantiallyuniform thickness secured to the underside of said intermediate sole,the' margins of said wearing sole being turned upwardly and into theperipheral edge surface of said reinforced portion of the intermediatesole to provide mechanical protection for the intermediate sole withoutsubjecting the wearing sole to wrinkling or thick ening, .said wearingsole being so anchored to said reinforced portion of said intermediatesole that the outer edge surface of the intermediate sole conforms withthe curvature of the wearing sole, said marginal portions of saidintermediate sole extending between the wearing sole and the filler padand uniting the wearing sole on its outer periphery with the upper.

4. A shoe as setV forth in claim 3 wherein the margins of said wearingsole turned upward and into the peripheral edge surface of saidreinforced intermediate sole to provide mechanical protection for theintermediate sole without subjecting the wearing sole to wrinkling orthickening includes arcuately shaped edges.

5. A shoe as set forth in claim 3, wherein said upper, said flexibleintermediate sole, said filler pad means, and said wearing sole arerespectively vulcanized.

6. A shoe according to claim 3 wherein the upwardly extending peripheraledge of the Wearing sole in the region of the intermediate sole issubstantially pointed.

7. A shoe having a heel and toe portion and comprising an upper and aninsole sewn to said upper, a flexible intermediate sole secured to saidupper, said intermediate sole being defined at its entire outerperiphery by a marginal built up Iand reinforced portion, ller pad meanssecured in the inside of said intermediate sole, a wearing sole of sheetmaterial of substantially uniform thickness secured to the underside ofsaid intermediate sole, the margins of said wearing sole turned upwardlyand into the peripheral edge surface of said reinforced intermediatesole to provide mechanical protection for the intermediate sole withoutsubjecting the wearing sole to wrinkling or thickening, said wearingsole being so anchored to said reinforced margin of said intermediatesole that the outer edge surface of the intermediate sole conforms withthe curvature of the wearing sole, said marginal portions of saidintermediate sole` extending ibetween the wearing sole and the fillerpad and uniting the wearing sole on its outer periphery with the upper,

and a shank member providing stability and relative rigidity of shape tothe shoe structure positioned between lsaid intermediate sole and saidinsole.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,221,985 4/ 17Golden 36-106 2,460,097 1/49 Maling 36--17 2,460,098 1/49 Maling n36--17 2,502,774 4/50 Alianiello 36-28 2,586,045 2/52 Hoza 36-14 X2,707,340 5/55 Scala 36-19.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 506,113 10/51 Belgium.

985,726 3/51 France. 1,083,518 6/54 France.

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examilfzer.V FRANK J. COHEN, Examiner.

1. A SHOE COMPRISING AN UPPER, A FLEXIBLE INTERMEDIATE SOLE SECURED TOSAID UPPER, SAID INTERMEDIATE SOLE HAVING AN UNDERSIDE PORTION AND BEINGDEFINED AT ITS ENTIRE OUTER PERIPHERY BY A MARGINAL BUILT UP ANDREINFORCED PORTION, A WEARING SOLE OF SHEET MATERIAL OF SUBSTANTIALLYUNIFORM THICKNESS SECURED TO THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID INTERMEDIATE SOLE,THE MARGINS OF SAID WEARING SOLE BEING FLEXED UPWARD AND ANCHORED INTOTHE MARGINAL PORTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE SOLE SO THAT THE OUTER EDGESURFACE OF SAID MARGINAL REINFORCED PORTION OF THE INTERMEDIATE SOLECONFORMS WITH THE CURVATURE OF THE WEARING SOLE, THE MARGIN OF SAIDWEARING SOLE FURTHER BEING FORMED WITH FRONT AND REAR LATERALLYEXTENDING PORTIONS TURNED UPWARD AND INTO SAID INTERMEDIATE SOLE.